Rules and Regulations

There are lots of fun, interesting and educational things you can do on our refuges. Keep in mind, if an activity is not wildlife-related, and doesn’t help in the protection or understanding of wildlife or their habitat, there are probably refuge rules governing this activity. There are plenty of activities on the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex for you to enjoy. Be safe and have fun!

All areas of the North Central Valley WMA are closed to public entry unless otherwise explicitly posted as a nature trail or parking area.

The following rules apply except where otherwise posted:

Visitors to National Wildlife Refuges must comply with all applicable local, State, Federal regulations and signs.

Fees and Permits:

The Sacramento NWR collects a $6 day use fee for the Auto Tour Route (annual passes are $12). Holders of a Federal Duck Stamp and various Interagency Passes get in for free. There are no fees for use of the trailsor Auto Tourat the other refuges (Colusa NWR, Sutter NWR, Sacramento River NWR, Llano Seco Unit). Visit our "Permits" page for more fee information.

Specific State/Federal permits/licenses are required for hunting (Sacramento NWR, Delevan NWR, Colusa NWR, Sutter NWR, Sacramento River NWR) and fishing (allowed on Sacramento River NWR only). Visit our Hunt Area Permitspage for more information. Hunters must comply with State of California license requirements and regulations. See State of California Department of Fish and Wildlife website for more information: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/

A Special Use Permit (SUP) is required to enter closed areas or conduct activities that are otherwise prohibited (ie research projects, commercial activities, large organized events). For more information, contact the Complex Headquarters to speak with the refuge manager of the area where the proposed activity will occur: (530)934-2801. Visit our "Permits" page for more fee and permits information.

Auto Tour:While on the Auto Tour Routes(Sacramento NWR and Colusa NWR), visitors are required to stay in their vehicles. The Sacramento NWR Auto Tour has 3 park-and-stretch areas to allow visitors to get out of their vehicles. This is a citable offense with fines up to $275.

Respect Closed Zones:National Wildlife Refuges were created for wildlife. Areas throughout the refuge are designated as closed or restricted-use areas to protect wildlife or for public safety. Please read and adhere to the regulations identified by signs.

OPEN Areas: Areas open to public use will be posted as such. Road entrances to public use areas have a large brown refuge sign, open gate, and posted hours. Areas open to the public include designated Auto Tour Routes, Nature Trails, and Parking Lots. Areas open to the public are listed on the refuge public use maps – follow the “MAPS” tab on the right side of this web page. Public use areas are DAY USE ONLY.

CLOSED Areas: Areas closed to the public include all property that is not explicitly posted as an area open to the public. Closed area boundaries are posted along accessible areas with signs that may list the following: “UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY PROHIBITED”; “AREA BEYOND THIS SIGN CLOSED All public entry prohibited.” Visitors must stay out of posted closed areas. Visitors that enter posted closed areas are trespassing and are subject to law enforcement action including citations.

Dogs/Pets:Dogs are allowed where visitors are allowed. Dogs must be on-leash (no more than 6 ft long) while on trails or parking lots, except for authorized hunting activities under the immediate control of a licensed hunter. Owners/handlers are responsible for disposal of dog droppings on refuge public use concentration areas such as trails and parking lots. National Wildlife Refuges provide habitat for native wildlife. Pets (including waterfowl) are not allowed to be released on the refuge.

Speed:The on-refuge speed limit is 15 mph.

Accessibility:The Complex is committed to providing equal opportunities for all of our visitors. Refuge-specific brochures are available in Braille and audio versions. A CD is available in the Visitor Center describing the Auto Tour of the Sacramento NWR. All tour routes, platforms, and public buildings have access for people with disabilities. The north loop of the Wetland Walk Trail is wheelchair accessible. The restrooms at Sacramento and Colusa NWRs and the Llano Seco Unit are accessible. For information on hunting, visit the hunting accessibility page.

Camping and Fires:Camping is not permitted on the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, with the exception of the following: 1) on the Sacramento River, camping is permitted on gravel bars for up to 7 days during a 30 day period, and 2) for waterfowl hunting, an overnight stay is permitted inside a vehicle or RV in designated areas; tents are prohibited. No person may build or maintain fires except for the use of portable gas stoves on Sacramento River gravel bars and in Hunter Check Station parking lots. See our "Plan Your Visit" page for information on some local areas to spend the night.

Fishing:Fishing is only permitted on Packer Lake (Sacramento River NWR) and on the Sacramento River. Follow state regulations.

Bicycles:Bicycling is only permitted on the following areas from May 15 - August 15: Sacramento NWR Auto Tour, Colusa NWR Auto Tour, and Sacramento River NWR trails of the following units: Rio Vista, Pine Creek, Capay, Sul Norte, Packer, and Drumheller. Bicycling is otherwise not permitted. Visit theBicycling pagefor more information.

ALL areas of the refuges are CLOSED to public entry unless explicitly posted as a public-use area. Visitors must comply with ALL posted rules and regulations, in addition to what is listed below. Except where otherwise permitted/posted:

No trespassing in posted closed areas

No entry behind closed gates or fences

No night use

No travel off of designated public use road or trail

No parking outside of designated parking lots

No pets off leash when outside of vehicles

No dog field trials or dog training that involves being off-leash

No walking on auto tour routes

No horseback riding

No camping

No fires or open flame cooking grills

No weapons (except shotguns used during lawful hunting activities as authorized by permit)

No discharge of firearms (except during lawful hunting activities as authorized by permit)

No take, disturbance or collection of wildlife or plants

No search for or removal of objects of antiquity or other valued objects

What We Do

Did you know?

Often small groups of northern shovelers bring food to the surface by swimming rapidly in a circle while swinging their bills side to side. They strain aquatic vegetation, plankton, and tiny invertebrates through the comblike edges of their shovel-shaped bill.